Companies, schools, organizations and individuals are always looking for ways to improve their communication.

Thanks to a federal grant, the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company has done just that.
U.S. Rep. Scott Murphy, D-N.Y., officially presented the grant to the company at a June 3 meeting at the company’s house.
“The service that these volunteers give is vital to the communities that they serve,” said Murphy. “My office has been fighting for these grants for local fire departments and we will continue to help them in any way to receive the funding that they need.”
Brian Brooks said the main focus of the company with the near $20,000 grant would be to update its communications.
“We have purchased a repeater for the trucks so we can better communicate between low and high frequency radios,” said Brooks. “We have also purchased several new radios for our firefighters.”
Brooks said the new equipment will better help firefighters communicate between other departments and between each other.
“Now there will be a better line of communication between those firefighters that are in a building and the outside,” said Brooks.
The department was also able to use the grant for several other purposes, including the purchase of a test dummy.
“I am very pleased to see how much you have been able to do with this grant,” said Murphy. “It shows the dedication of the company to maximizing what they have for their community.”